WKU News

Welcome to Today@WKU, the daily newsletter from WKU Public Affairs, for May 7, 2018.

WKU News

• Record 11 WKU students awarded Critical Language Scholarships: A record 11 WKU students have been awarded U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarships that fully fund summer study in intensive language programs abroad. Two others have been named alternates and may be upgraded as additional funding becomes available. Several WKU students have been awarded Critical Language Scholarships every year since 2011, this year’s performance nearly doubles the previous record of six awardees in 2014.
• Gatton Academy Students Awarded NSLI-Y Scholarships for 8th Consecutive Year: Four students at the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WKU have received nationally-competitive National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarships for immersive, critical language study this summer.  They will travel to China, Estonia, Jordan, and Moldova.
• WKU Board of Regents to meet May 11: The WKU Board of Regents will conduct its second quarterly meeting on May 11. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the Martin Regents Room, Jody Richards Hall.
• Delta Sigma Theta—Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund celebrates anniversary, recognizes new recipient: Honoring the memory of a WKU student who succumbed to breast cancer five days before her 25th birthday in 2005, the Delta Sigma Theta–Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to celebrate the spirit of Tabitha Briggs and make a positive impact at WKU. Members of Revelation, Spring 2003 (Alpha Xi line) of the Eta Zeta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., were joined by additional members of their sorority, scholarship fund committee members and previous scholarship recipients at the Augenstein Alumni Center on April 28 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Tabitha leading their line into the sorority. At the event, Symone Whalin, a WKU freshman from Larue County was recognized as the 2018-2019 recipient of the Delta Sigma Theta–Tabitha M. Briggs Memorial Scholarship.
• 3 GIS students awarded scholarships: WKU GIS students Tori Murley, Cesalea Osborne and J. Byron Hughes were awarded scholarships from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) to participate at this year’s annual International GIS User Conference. This marks the 17th year in a row that a student has been selected from WKU’s GIS program.
• 3 WKU student PR teams win Parthenon Awards: Three WKU student teams of public relations majors earned Parthenon Awards at the 32nd annual competition in Nashville, Tenn., on April 30 at the Country Music Hall of Fame. This year’s awards marked the sixth consecutive year for public relations seniors to earn the Parthenon Award distinction.
• WKU students receive undergraduate library research awards: WKU students Alex Huntsman of Bowling Green and Aqilah Alsadiq of Saudi Arabia were recognized for receiving the Undergraduate Library Research Award for University Experience (UE) classes.  Each semester, WKU Libraries and WKU University Experience faculty offer the awards in an effort to recognize the important role of good undergraduate research in college academic success.
• Lost River Sessions to host Arts & Music Festival May 12: Local artists and makers, food trucks and live music will be featured at the first Lost River Sessions Arts & Music Festival from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Fountain Square Park in downtown Bowling Green. This free event is open to all ages.
• 183^rd Commencement May 11: Check out information for WKU’s 183^rd Commencement on May 11 and special recognition ceremonies on May 12.
• Finals Week Transit & Parking Changes: Check out a reminder from Parking & Transportation about transit and parking changes during finals week.
• WKU Public Radio Weekday Newscast Schedule: Tune into WKU Public Radio for national and international news from NPR, and local newscasts every half hour during Morning Edition (4-9 a.m. Central), and All Things Considered (3-6 p.m. Central), as well as local news features and interviews produced by the WKU news staff. WKU's Public Radio can be heard on WKYU-FM (88.9) in Bowling Green/Glasgow; WDCL-FM (89.7) in Somerset/Campbellsville; WKPB-FM (88.9) in Henderson/Owensboro; WKUE-FM (90.9) in Elizabethtown/Bardstown; and online at http://www.wkyufm.org/

Follow WKU News: Subscribe to our daily email newsletter; follow WKU News on Twitter @wkunews or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WKUNews.

WKU Sports

• Softball: Timely Hitting & Aikey's Two-Hitter Secure WKU Postseason Berth: WKU Softball clinched its second-consecutive trip to the Conference USA Championships this week in Charlotte, N.C., with a down-to-the-wire 1-0 victory over FIU to open Sunday's doubleheader. Kelsey Aikey tossed a two-hit gem and the Hilltoppers got all the offense they needed from an RBI base hit from Kelsey McGuffin that scored Rebekah Engelhardt for the winning run. FIU won the day's second tilt, 4-1, to salvage a split and secure third place in the regular season standings. Next: The No. 8 seed Hilltoppers will play No. 5 seed Marshall to kick off postseason action Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT from Charlotte, N.C.
• Baseball: Toppers Close Out 9-8 Win Over Charlotte: Colie Currie's two-out, RBI triple in the seventh inning put WKU Baseball ahead, then Ben Morrison and the bullpen held the lead for a one-run, 9-8 victory over Charlotte on Sunday afternoon. Next: WKU vs. FIU in a weekend series May 11-13 at Nick Denes Field.

More: For updates on WKU Athletics, follow @WKUSports on Twitter or WKU Athletics on Facebook.

WKU in the News

• Sanford sees 'perfect situation' for White in Dallas: This season, Mike White will play for yet another set of coaches in yet another offensive system. But change is nothing new for one of WKU’s all-time greats. His now-former coach Mike Sanford hopes that, at the very least, White’s newest endeavor will have some similarities to help the development of the star quarterback.

More: Check out WKU in the News page.

WKU Alumni

• Upcoming WKU Alumni events: Homecoming 2018 has been set for Oct. 27; game time and additional details TBA. For a listing of events, visit the Alumni website and click on the Events Calendar. Or contact the WKU Alumni Association at 888-958-2586. For a list of Alumni news, visit the Alumni News page. More: WKU SpiritFunder; Topper Travelers Program 2018

More: Visit the WKU Alumni website.

WKU Admissions

• #ClimbWithUs: The WKU Office of Admissions helps future Hilltoppers as they start their journey on The Hill. You can reach us by calling 270-745-2551, emailing admission@wku.edu or connecting with us on social media. Students can reserve their TOP date and take their placement exams at www.wku.edu/top
• Useful links for prospective/admitted students: Campus tours; Let’s Talk, Topper; Admissions Timeline; Topper Orientation Program; Scholarships; Housing; MASTER Plan
• Admitted Student Nights: The WKU Office of Admissions is hosting several admitted student nights in various communities. These events are for high school seniors that have been admitted to WKU and their families. The Admissions Counselor for your area will be there to discuss your next steps and answer any questions you may have. Visit https://www.wku.edu/admissions/counselors/ or call 270-745-2551 to get in touch with your WKU Admissions Counselor.

More: Visit the WKU Admissions website; Information for Prospective Students

What’s Happening At-WKU

Ongoing/continuing events

• Exhibits at Kentucky Museum: Instruments of American Excellence; A Culture Carried: Bosnians in Bowling Green (through June 30); Kaleidoscope: Kentucky Museum Quilts (through Dec. 18); 2018 Side by Side (through June 30); plus other gallery and on-campus exhibits. (Museum hours/visitor information) Contact Kentucky Museum, (270) 745-2592.
• Exhibits at Downing Museum: The Story of Joe Downing: Select Works From the Collection. Downing Museum, 4801 Morgantown Road. Contact Jack LeSieur, (270) 842-7415.
• WKU Summer Office Hours. May 14-Aug. 10. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday.

Monday, May 7

• Final Exams Begin.
• 4 p.m.: Study Hall 2018. Kentucky Museum’s Kentucky Room. Contact Christy Spurlock, (270) 745-6082.

Tuesday, May 8

• 7 p.m.: Hardin Planetarium Show: MoonBeings. Hardin Planetarium. Contact Planetarium, (270) 745-4044.
• 7 p.m.: Lavender Recognition Ceremony. Augenstein Alumni Center. Contact Registrar, (270) 745-3351.

Wednesday, May 9

• 10 a.m.: Budget Model Open Forum. Downing Student Union Auditorium. Contact Carolyn Green, (270) 745-2434.
• 1 p.m.: Performer of the Semester. Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Contact Music, (270) 745-3751.
• 2 p.m.: ISEC Graduation Celebration. Downing Student Union Auditorium. Contact ISEC, (270) 745-5066.

Thursday, May 10

• 9 a.m.: Social Work Pinning Ceremony. Downing Student Union, room 1037. Contact Social Work, (270) 745-5313.
• 3:45 p.m.: University Senate Meeting. Faculty House. Contact Eric Kondratieff, (270) 745-8861.
• 4 p.m.: Future Healthcare Professionals Closing Ceremony. Downing Student Union, room 3024. Contact Catherine Malin, (270) 745-3325.
• 4:30 p.m.: International Graduation Reception. Mahurin Honors College/International Center multipurpose room. Contact International Programs, (270) 745-5334.
• 6 p.m.: WKU Glasgow Graduand Ceremony. TJ Pavilion Community Room, 310 N L Rogers Wells Blvd., Glasgow. Contact WKU Glasgow, (270) 861-6900.
• 6 p.m.: Graduate Student Awards Dinner. Knicely Conference Center. Contact Graduate School, (270) 745-2446.
• 7 p.m.: Hardin Planetarium Show: MoonBeings. Hardin Planetarium. Contact Planetarium, (270) 745-4044.

For upcoming events: Visit the What's Happening at WKU page, Events@WKU page or WKU’s online events calendar

About Today@WKU

• Today@WKU is a service of WKU Public Affairs. For more from WKU News, become a WKU Facebook fan, follow us on Twitter, visit the WKU News page, or check out What's Happening @WKU, “View from the Hill” segments, more News from Around Campus, WKU on You Tube or WKU webcams. Email us at wkunews@wku.edu